Rear cover assembly for washing machine and dryer and washing system using the same

ABSTRACT

Rear cover assemblies ( 100, 200 ) for washing machines and dryers including front panels(110, 210) each mounted on rear of a top cover fitted to an upper part of each of the washing machines ( 1 ) and the dryers ( 2 ), the front panels each having a seat ( 111, 211 ) of identical shape, and back panels ( 120, 210 ) each being formed to be fitted to the seat ( 111, 211 ) of the front panel ( 110, 210 ), the back panel being configured to allow accessories required for each of the washing machines ( 1 ) or each of the dryers ( 2 ) to be fitted thereto. These rear cover assemblies form a unified particular outer appearance in one set consisting of any selected two of the washing machines ( 1 ) and the dryers ( 2 ), and they are exchangeable such that the particular outer appearance can be maintained even if relative positions of the washing machines and the dryers within the one set are changed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a washing system for washing and dryinglaundry, and more particularly, to a rear cover assembly for a washingmachine or a dryer in the washing system.

BACKGROUND ART

As known, since the washing machine and the dryer provide functionsupplementary to each other, the washing machine and the dryer areinstalled even in parallel when required. According to this, a washingsystem having independent washing machine and dryer combined as one settherein is put into practical use, recently. The washing system has thewashing machine and the dryer coupled in view of functions, thoughindependent from each other in view of structure. Moreover, for giving asense of one system to a user, the washing system has a unified designon the whole. Depending on specification, the washing system may beprovided with a control panel, and a rear cover assembly projected fromrear of the washing system. Accordingly, in the washing system,particularly, the rear cover assemblies on the washing machine and dryerrespectively are designed to have one specific appearance.

In the meantime, an air discharge structure for the dryer, and watersupply/drain structures for the washing machine may vary with astructure of a house. Therefore, it is required that the washing machineand the dryer in the washing system are installed in the vicinity of thewater supply/drain structures and the air discharge structure. However,even if the washing system is installed suitable to the house structure,the washing system may not be harmonious in view of the outerappearance. For an example, in the washing system, the dryer may bedisposed on a right side of the washing machine, and under thisarrangement, the washing system may be designed to have a particularouter appearance on the whole. However, if it is required that the dryeris disposed on a left side of the washing machine suitable to astructure of a house, arrangement of the washing machine and the dryermay not be harmonious.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention for solving the foregoing problem isto provide a washing system which can maintain an initial outerappearance even if an arrangement of independent appliances in thewashing system is changed.

The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing rear-cover assemblies for washing machines and dryers including front panelseach mounted on rear of a top cover fitted to an upper part of each ofthe washing machines and the dryers, the front panel having a seat, andback panels each fitted to the seat of the front panel, the back panelhaving a system to fit accessories required for each of the washingmachines or each of the dryers thereto, wherein a unified particularouter appearance is formed for one set consisting of any selected two ofthe washing machines and the dryers, such that the particular outerappearance can be maintained for the one set even if relative positionsof the washing machines and the dryers within the one set are changed.

The particular outer appearance is formed by the front panels, and moreprecisely formed by upper part outlines of the front panels. For formingthe particular outer appearance, it is preferable that the front panelsare symmetric within the one set.

The front panel includes a control panel having a system enabling a userto operate the washing machine or the dryer, and the control panelincludes various buttons for giving operational orders and a displaywindow for displaying an operation state. The control panel is unifiedwith the front panel, or detachable from the front panel, and thewindows and buttons have identical positions in the different controlpanels in the one set. The seat is formed by cutting off a rear surfaceof the front panel.

In the back panel, the accessories for the washing machine include awater supply tube and wires, and the accessories for the dryer includewire. It is preferable that the back panel of the dryer is formed of ametal. More preferably, the back panel is formed unified with the topcover.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washingmachine including a cabinet, a washing tub, or drum mounted in thecabinet rotatable by power means for washing laundry, a top cover forcovering an upper part of the cabinet, and a rear cover having a frontpanel mounted in a rear part of the top cover having a form of seat anda back panel having a system for fitting various accessories thereto anda shape to be fitted to the seat in the front panel, wherein, when thewashing machine is combined with another washing machine or a dryerhaving identical rear cover, the rear covers form a unified particularouter appearance such that the particular outer appearance is maintainedeven if positions of the washing machine and the another washing machineor the dryer are interchanged.

In further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dryerincluding a cabinet, a drum mounted in the cabinet rotatable by powermeans for drying laundry, a top cover for covering an upper part of thecabinet, and a rear cover having a front panel mounted in a rear part ofthe top cover having a form of seat and a back panel having a system forfitting various accessories thereto and a shape to be fitted to the seatin the front panel, wherein, when the dryer is combined with anotherdryer or a washing having identical rear cover, the rear covers form aunified particular outer appearance such that the particular outerappearance is maintained even if positions of the dryer and the anotherdryer or the washing machine are interchanged.

In still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided awashing system including a washing machine having a cabinet, a washingtub, or drum mounted in the cabinet rotatable by power means for washinglaundry, a top cover for covering an upper part of the cabinet, and arear cover having a front panel mounted in a rear part of the top coverhaving a form of seat and a back panel having a system for fittingvarious accessories thereto and a shape to be fitted to the seat in thefront panel, and a dryer having a cabinet, a drum mounted in the cabinetrotatable by power means for drying laundry, a top cover for covering anupper part of the cabinet, and a rear cover having a front panel mountedin a rear part of the top cover having a form of seat and a back panelhaving a system for fitting various accessories thereto and a shape tobe fitted to the seat in the front panel, wherein the rear covers of thewashing machine and dryer form a unified particular outer appearance onthe whole, and are interchangeable to maintain the outer appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the inventionand together with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention:

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a washing system in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a back side perspective view of a washing system ofthe present invention showing a rear cover assembly in detail; and

FIGS. 3A˜3D illustrate back side perspective views each showing thesteps of a process for interchanging the rear cover assemblies in thewashing system of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. In description of the embodiments, the same parts will begiven the same names and reference numerals, and iterative descriptionof which will be omitted.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a washing system in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2illustrates a back side perspective view of a washing system of thepresent invention showing a rear cover assembly in detail, referring towhich the washing system of the present invention will be described.

The washing system of the present invention includes one set having awashing machine 1 and a dryer 2 combined therein. As shown, the washingmachine 1 and the dryer 2 have independent and separated structures, butare combined to form the washing system. The washing machine 1 includesa housing and various components fitted in the housing for washing, andthe dray 2 also has a similar structure. Each of the housings includes acabinet 11 or 21 in a lower part, a top cover 12 or 22 on the cabinet 11or 21, and a rear cover 100 or 200 in rear of the top cover 12 or 22.The lower cabinet 11 or 21 holds and mounts key components of thewashing machine 1 or the dryer 2 therein. The top cover 12 or 22 coversan upper part of the cabinet 11 or 21, for protection of the components.The rear cover 100 or 200 includes a control panel 112 or 212 foroperation of the washing machine 1 or the dryer 2, and covers acontroller operably connected to the panel 113 or 212. Meanwhile, thedoor 13 or 23 may be fitted to the top cover 12 or the cabinet 21depending on an arrangement of the components.

In the case of the washing machine 1, there are a washing tub and-driving means for driving the washing tub inside of the housing. Laundryis introduced into the washing tub through the door 13, and washed andextracted of water as the washing tub rotated. Moreover, in the case ofthe dryer 2, there are a drying drum, driving means for rotating thedrying drum, and devices for heating air inside of the housing. Laundrywashed in the washing machine is introduced into the drying drum throughthe door 23, and dried by using the heating devices. For better dryingof the laundry, the drying drum is rotated by the driving means.Therefore, a general washing process started from the washing machine 1is finished at the dryer 1.

In the washing system of the present invention, the washing machine 1and the dryer 2 are arranged in parallel such that functions of thewashing machine 1 and the dryer 2 are connected, closely. According tothis, the user can process an entire washing process in a lot, moreconveniently. That is, after washing the laundry at the washing machine1, the user takes out the laundry from the washing machine and dries thelaundry at an adjacent dryer 2 at once. Moreover, as shown, not only thefunctions, but also the designs are preferably harmonized, the washingmachine 1 and the dryer 2 in the washing system are designed to have thesame heights and widths. In the meantime, in general the rear covers 100and 200 are projected from the top covers 12 and 22 for easy handling bythe user. In view of overall design of the washing system, it isimportant to unify the designs of the rear covers 100 and 200 into one.Furthermore, it is preferable that a combination of rear covers 100 and200 has a particular outer appearance. For an example, FIG. 1illustrates the rear covers 100 and 200 which form a smoothsemi-elliptic form. Such rear covers 100 and 200 of the presentinvention will be explained in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 2, the rear cover 100 or 200 includes the front panel110 or 210 on the top cover 12 or 22 and a back panel 120 or 220 in rearof the front panel 110 or 210.

The front panel 110 or 210 is detachably fitted to rear of the top cover12 or 22. As described before, the front panel 110 or 210 is projectedfrom the top cover 12 or 22 to a height so that the user can handle thecontrol panel 112 or 212 in the front panel 110 or 210 with easy.Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, since the front panels 110 and210 are exposed to a front face of the washing system, and represents awhole shape of the rear covers 100 and 200, it can be actually knownthat the front panels 110 and 210 form a unified outer appearance, i.e.,a smooth semi-elliptic form, at the time the rear covers 100 and 200 arecombined. Particularly, since the projected front panels 110 and 210form a top part outline of entire washing system, the top part outlineof the front panels 110 and 210 form the semi-elliptic form, moresignificantly. Moreover, for forming a particular outer appearance, thefront panels 110 and 210 may be asymmetrical. However, for easy designand fabrication, it is preferable that the front panels 110 and 210 aresymmetrical.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the rear part of the front panel 110 or 210, aseat 111 or 211 for a back cover 120 is provided. The seat 111 or 211 isformed by cutting a part of the rear surface of the panel 110 or 210away so that the cut away part can receive the back cover 120, actually.In more detail, the seat 111 or 211 has a form in the front panel 110 or210. That is, the seat 111 of the washing machine and the seat 211 ofthe dryer have identical sizes and forms.

The control panel 112 or 212 is fitted to a front part of the frontpanel 110 or 210. The control panel 112 or 212 includes a display window112 a or 212 a for displaying an operation state and a plurality ofbuttons 112 b and 212 b for giving operational orders. The user pressesthe buttons 112 b or 212 b for generating an electrical signal tocontrol operation, in response to which signal the controller makes thewashing machine or the dryer to carry out a particular function.Information on the operation is provided to the user through the window112 a or 212 a. In more detail, the control panel 112 or 212 may beunified with, or detachably fitted to the front panel 110 or 210. Asshown in FIG. 1, in the case of the unified control panels 112 and 212,the windows 112 a and 212 a are formed at identical positions indifferent control panels 112 and 212, and the buttons 112 b and 212 bare also formed in the same styles. That is, as shown, the window 112 aof the washing machine and the window 212 a of the dryer are positionedin right parts of the control panels 112 and 212 in the drawing, andbuttons 112 b of the washing machine and buttons 212 b of the dryer arepositioned left parts of the control panels 112 and 212. Therefore, evenif the control panel 112 of the washing machine is fitted in place ofthe control panel 212 of the dryer, the control panel 112 can carry outthe same functions for the dryer described before. Moreover, under thesame reason, it is preferable that other characteristics except thepositions, i.e., shapes colors of the windows and buttons are formedidentical to each other. On the other hand, in the case of thedetachable control panel 112 or 212, the detachable control panel 112 or212 may be detached from a prior panel, and attached to a new panelagain, when the front panel 110 or 210 is interchanged with the newpanel. Therefore, since the detachable control panels 112 and 212 can beremained at original positions, windows and buttons thereof may beidentical or have different positions and forms, selectively.

The back panel 120 or 220 is required to have accessories required forthe washing machine 1 or the dryer 2 fitted thereto. As known, at leastthe washing machine 1 and the dryer require the drain structure and theair discharge structure positioned at outsides thereof. The accessoriesnot only connect the drain and the air discharge structure and thewashing machine 1 and the dryer 2 for making normal operation, but alsohave various supplementary functions. As shown in FIG. 2, in a case ofthe washing machine 1, the accessories include a water supply tube 121 aand various wires 122 a. The water supply tube 121 a connects anexternal water supply source (city water tap) and a washing tub insideof the washing machine, for supplying washing water from the watersupply source to an inside of the washing machine. The wires 122 aelectrically connect an external power source to inside devices.Therefore, for extending the wires 122 a and the water supply tube 121a, the back panel 120 actually has openings 121 b and 122 b suitable forthe wires 122 a and the water supply tube 121 a. In the case of thedryer 2, the accessories may be various wires 221 a, for connecting thedryer to the external power source. When,the dryer 2 has a burner, thedryer 2 is required to have an exhaust pipe 222 a and a ground structure223 a. The exhaust pipe 222 a is provided for discharging hot air whichis produced by the burner and dries the laundry through an exhauststructure of the house. The ground structure 223 a is provided for fireprotection since the dryer 2 has a combustion device, such as theburner. When the dryer 2 uses a gas, a gas tube is providedadditionally. Therefore, alike the back panel of the washing machine,the back panel 220 of the dryer has openings 221 b, 222 b, and 223 b forthe accessories. Owing to the hot air, the exhaust tube 222 a is heatedto a substantial temperature. Therefore, it is preferable that the backpanel 220 of the dryer is formed of a metal of good heat resistance.Opposite to this, the back panel 120 of the washing machine, whichrequires no heat resistance, may be formed of plastic.

The back panel 120 or 220 is formed to fit to the seat 111 or 211 of thefront panel. That is, a shape and a size of the back panel 120 or 220 isdefined by the seat 111 or 211 for seating thereon. Therefore, asexplained, since the seats 111 and 211 are identical, the back panels120 and 220 are also identical in view of shapes and sizes. The backpanel 126 or 220 is seated on the seat 111 or 211, to form a part of arear surface of the front panel 110 or 210, in another words, to cover apart of rear surface. Since the back panel 120 or 220 has a systemsuitable to particular accessories, the back panel 120 or 220 may beunified with the top cover 12 or 22, unable to detach therefrom. Suchunified back panel 120 or 220 is more favorable for stable support ofthe accessories, too.

As described, seats 111 and 112 of the washing machine and the dryer areformed identical to each other. Alikely, the back panels 120 and 220have the same shapes, such that the back panels 120 and 220 can beseated on any of the seats 111 and 112. Eventually, the front panels 110and 220 are interchangeable. Furthermore, even if an overall particularouter appearance of the washing system is not harmonious owing to arelative positional change of the washing machine 1 and the dryer 2, thefront panels 110 and 210 may be interchanged for restoration of theparticular outer appearance. That is, in overall, the interchange of thefront panels 110 and 210 brings about a result in which the rear covers100 and 120 are interchanged, entirely. A process for interchanging suchrear covers will be described in detail with reference to relateddrawings.

FIGS. 3A˜3D illustrate back side perspective views each showing thesteps of a process for interchanging the rear cover assemblies in thewashing system of the present invention. Alike FIG. 2, for clarity andsimplicity of the drawings, only key parts of the entire washing systemare shown.

FIG. 3A illustrates a washing system of which initial particular outerappearance is changed. In general, the washing system is designed suchthat one of arrangements of the washing machine 1 and the dryer 2 (foran example, the washing machine 1 is positioned on a left side of thedryer 2) exhibits a unified outer appearance. Therefore, it can be knownthat the outer appearance in FIG. 3A shows positions of the washingmachine 1 and the dryer 2 are interchanged. On the other hand, asdescribed, since widths and heights of the washing machine 1 and thedryer 2 in the unified washing system are identical basically, even ifthe positions are interchanged, the positional interchange gives noinfluence to an outer appearance unification of the entire washingsystem. However, since the rear covers 100 and 200 form a particularunified outer appearance in a state the rear covers 100 and 200 areprojected, and combined to each other, when the positions of the washingmachine I and the dryer 2 are interchanged, despite of the identicalheights and widths, an overall outer appearance of the washing system isnot harmonious. In FIG. 3A, though the washing machine 1 is positionedon a right side of the dryer 1 initially when seen from rear of thewashing machine 1, the washing machine 1 is shifted to a left side ofthe dryer 2 due to various reasons, such as a structure of the house,and the like.

Referring to FIG. 3B, in a case like this, at first, the front panel 110or 210 is detached from the top cover 12 or 22. When the control panel112 or 212 is detachable from the front panel 110 or 210, only the frontpanel 110 or 210 is detached except the control panel 112 or 212. If thecontrol panel 112 or 212 and the front panel 110 or 210 are unified, thecontrol panel 112 or 212 is detached together with the front panel 110or 210. As shown, since the back panels 120 and 220 have systems toreceive accessories of the washing machine 1 and the dryer 2respectively, the back panels 120 and 220 are not interchangeable.

Then, the front panels 110 and 210 are interchanged. As shown in FIG.3C, according to this, the front panel 110 of the washing machine ismoved from a left side to the right side on an upper side 6f the dryer2, and the front panel 210 of the dryer is moved from a right side to aleft side on an upper side of the washing machine.

Referring to FIG. 3D, finally, the interchanged front panels 110 and 220are fastened to the washing machine and the dryer 2, respectively. Thatis, as shown, the front panel 110 of the washing machine is fitted tothe top cover 22 of the dryer 2, and the front panel 210 of the dryer isfitted to the top cover 12 of the washing machine. At a same time, theback panel 120 of the washing machine is fitted to the seat 211 of thedryer, and the back panel 220 of the dryer is fitted to the seat 111 ofthe washing machine. As described before, this interchange of the frontpanels 110 and 210 is made possible by the identical seats 111 and 112and the back covers 120 and 220. The control panels 112 and 212detachable from the front panels are left at originally fitted washingmachine 1 and the dryer 2, and fitted to the interchanged front panels.On the other hand, the unified control panels 112 and 212 areinterchanged together with the front panels 110 and 210. However, thewindows 112 a and 212 a and the buttons 112 b and 212 b are formed atthe same positions, the windows 112 a and 212 a and the buttons 112 band 212 b can carry out the same functions even after the front panels110 and 210 are interchanged. Moreover, it is preferable that fittingstructures for the front covers are formed identical on the top covers12 and 22 for interchange of the front panels 110 and 210. For anexample, the fitting structures are inclusive of the seats and fasteningparts for the front panels 110 and 210. However, in the washing system,sizes of the washing machine 1 and the dryer 2 and sizes of the rearcovers 100 and 200 dependent thereto are basically identical, thefitting structures are of course identical from the beginning. Even ifthere is a little difference of the fitting strictures, under the samereason, the front panels 110 and 210 can be made interchangeable byusing adapters.

The interchange of the front panels 110 and 210 restores theunharmonious outer appearance of the rear covers 100 and 200 into theinitial unified particular outer appearance again, which brings about aresult in which the outer appearance of the washing system isharmonious, actually. Moreover, the back panels 120 and 220 also permitthe washing machine 1 and the dryer 2 to have continuous rear surfacestogether with the seats 111 and 211, which also permit an overall outerappearance of the washing system more harmonious. As a result, in thepresent invention, the interchange of the front panels 110 and 210 hasan effect of an interchange of the rear covers 100 and 210 actually, andmoreover makes the user unable to aware of a change of the outerappearance.

In the meantime, though the foregoing embodiment discloses a washingsystem including one washing machine and one dryer, the presentinvention is not limited to this. Rather, the washing system of thepresent invention may include two washing machines as one set, or twodryers as one set, as the case demands. As described before, in thoseembodiments too, the rear covers may have interchangeable system, topermit the washing system to maintain one unified particular outerappearance even if positions of the appliances in the washing system arechanged. Thus, since those embodiments are identical to the embodimentdescribed in detail actually, detailed description of those embodimentswill be omitted.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

Industrial Applicability

In the washing system of the present invention, owing to seats of frontpanels formed identical to each other and the back panel fitted to theseats and also formed identical to each other, the front panels are mademountable to any of the washing machine and the dryer. Therefore, evenif the washing system becomes to have an unharmonious outer appearancedue to change of positions of the washing machine and the dryer, thefront panels may be interchanged so that a particular outer appearanceof the washing system is restored. As a result, the positions of thewashing machine and the dryer in the washing system can be changed asdesired without change of the outer appearance, thereby permitting theuser convenient.

1. Rear cover assemblies for washing machines and dryers comprising:front panels each mounted on rear of a top cover fitted to an upper partof each of the washing machines and the dryers, the front panels eachhaving a seat of identical shape; and back panels each being formed tobe fitted to the seat of the front panel, the back panels be configuredto allow accessories required for each of the washing machines or eachof the dryers to be fitted thereto, wherein the rear cover assembliesform a unified particular outer appearance in one set consisting of anyselected two of the washing machines and the dryers, and the rear coverassemblies are exchangeable in the one set such that the particularouter appearance can be maintained for the one set even if relativepositions of the washing machines and the dryers within the one set arechanged.
 2. The rear cover assemblies as claimed in claim 1, wherein theparticular outer appearance is formed by the front panels.
 3. The rearcover assemblies as claimed in claim 2, wherein the particular outerappearance is formed by upper part outlines of the front panels.
 4. Therear cover assemblies as claimed in claim 2, wherein the front panelsare symmetric within the one set.
 5. The rear cover assemblies asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the front panel includes a control panelenabling a user to operate the washing machine or the dryer.
 6. The rearcover assemblies as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control panelincludes various buttons for giving operational orders and a displaywindow for displaying an operation state.
 7. The rear cover assembliesas claimed in claim 5, wherein the control panel is unified with thefront panel, or detachable from the front panel.
 8. The rear coverassemblies as claimed in claim 7, wherein the windows and buttons haveidentical positions in the different control panels in the one set. 9.The rear cover assemblies as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat isformed by cutting off a rear surface of the front panel.
 10. The rearcover assemblies as claimed in claim 1, wherein the accessories for thewashing machine include a water supply tube and wires.
 11. The rearcover assemblies as claimed in claim 1, wherein the accessories for thedryer include wire.
 12. The rear cover assemblies as claimed in claim 1,wherein the back panel of the dryer is formed of a metal.
 13. The rearcover assemblies as claimed in claim 1, wherein the back panel is formedunified with the top cover.
 14. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet;a washing tub, or drum mounted in the cabinet rotatable by power meansfor washing laundry; a top cover for covering an upper part of thecabinet; and a rear cover including; a front panel mounted in a rearpart of the top cover and having a seat of a predetermined shape, and aback panel configured to allow various accessories to be fitted thereto,the back panel being formed to be fitted to the seat in the front panel,wherein, when the washing machine is combined with another washingmachine or a dryer having identical rear cover, the rear covers form aunified particular outer appearance, and the rear covers areexchangeable such that the particular outer appearance is maintainedeven if positions of the washing machine and the another washing machineor the dryer are interchanged.
 15. The washing machine as claimed inclaim 14, wherein the particular outer appearance is formed by the frontpanels.
 16. The washing machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein theparticular outer appearance is formed by upper part outlines of thefront panels.
 17. The washing machine as claimed in claim 15, whereinthe front panels are symmetric.
 18. The washing machine as claimed inclaim 14, wherein the front panel includes a control panel enabling auser to operate the washing machine.
 19. The washing machine as claimedin claim 18, wherein the control panel includes various buttons forgiving operational orders and a display window for displaying anoperation state.
 20. The washing machine as claimed in claim 18, whereinthe control panel is unified with the front panel, or detachable fromthe front panel.
 21. The washing machine as claimed in claim 20, whereinthe windows and buttons have identical positions in the differentcontrol panels.
 22. The washing machine as claimed in claim 14, whereinthe seat is formed by cutting off a rear surface of the front panel. 23.The washing machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the accessoriesinclude a water supply tube and wires.
 24. The washing machine asclaimed in claim 14, wherein the back panel is formed unified with thetop cover.
 25. A dryer comprising: a cabinet; a drum mounted in thecabinet rotatable by power means for drying laundry; a top cover forcovering an upper part of the cabinet; and a rear cover including; afront panel mounted in a rear part of the top cover and having a seat ofa predetermined shape, and a back panel be configured to allow variousaccessories to be fitted thereto, the back panel being formed to befitted to the seat in the front panel, wherein when the dryer iscombined with another dryer or a washing having identical rear cover,the rear covers form a unified particular outer appearance, and the rearcovers are exchangeable such that the particular outer appearance ismaintained even if positions of the dryer and the another dryer or thewashing machine are interchanged.
 26. The dryer as claimed in claim 25,wherein the particular outer appearance is formed by the front panels.27. The dryer as claimed in claim 26, wherein the particular outerappearance is formed by upper part outlines of the front panels.
 28. Thedryer as claimed in claim 26, wherein the front panels are symmetric.29. The dryer as claimed in claim 25, wherein the front panel includes acontrol panel enabling a user to operate the dryer.
 30. The dryer asclaimed in claim 29, wherein the control panel includes various buttonsfor giving operational orders and a display window for displaying anoperation state.
 31. The dryer as claimed in claim 29, wherein thecontrol panel is unified with the front panel, or detachable from thefront panel.
 32. The dryer as claimed in claim 31, wherein the windowsand buttons have identical positions in the different control panels.33. The dryer as claimed in claim 25, wherein the seat is formed bycutting off a rear surface of the front panel.
 34. The dryer as claimedin claim 25, wherein the accessories include wires.
 35. The dryer asclaimed in claim 25, wherein the back panel is formed of a metal. 36.The dryer as claimed in claim 25, wherein the back panel is formedunified with the top cover.
 37. A washing system comprising: a washingmachine including a cabinet, a washing tub or drum mounted in thecabinet rotatable by power means for washing laundry, a top cover forcovering an upper part of the cabinet, and a rear cover having a frontpanel mounted in a rear part of the top cover and having a seat of apredetermined shape and a back panel configured to allow variousaccessories to fitted thereto and formed to be fitted to the seat in thefront panel; and a dryer including a cabinet, a drum mounted in thecabinet rotatable by power means for drying laundry, a top cover forcovering an upper part of the cabinet, and a rear cover having a frontpanel mounted in a rear part of the top cover and having a seatidentical with the seat of the washing machine and a back panelconfigured to allow fitting various accessories to be fitted thereto andformed to be fitted to the seat in the front panel, wherein the rearcovers of the washing machine and dryer form a unified particular outerappearance on the whole, and are exchangeable to maintain the outerappearance.
 38. The washing system as claimed in claim 37, wherein theparticular outer appearance is formed by the front panels of the washingmachine and the dryer.
 39. The washing system as claimed in claim 3S,wherein the particular outer appearance is formed by upper part outlinesof the front panels of the washing machine and the dryer.
 40. Thewashing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the front panels of thewashing machine and the dryer are symmetric.
 41. The washing system asclaimed in claim 37, wherein the front panels include control panelseach enabling a user to operate the washing machine or the dryer. 42.The washing system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the control panelincludes various buttons for giving operational orders and a displaywindow for displaying an operation state.
 43. The washing system asclaimed in claim 41, wherein the control panel is unified with the frontpanel, or detachable from the front panel.
 44. The washing system asclaimed in claim 43, wherein the windows and buttons have identicalpositions in the control panels of the washing machine and the dryer.45. The washing system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the seats areformed by cutting off rear surfaces of the front panels of the washingmachine and the dryer.
 46. The washing system as claimed in claim 37,wherein the accessories for the washing machine include a water supplytube and wires.
 47. The washing system as claimed in claim 37, whereinthe accessories for the dryer include wires.
 48. The washing system asclaimed in claim 37, wherein the back panel of the dryer is formed of ametal.
 49. The washing system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the backpanel is unified with the top cover.